Uguisuzuka Kofun
Uguisuzuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound from Japan’s Kofun period, located in the Kasugano area of Nara city in the Kansai region. It sits on the summit of Mount Wakakusa, about 342 meters above sea level.
The mound is a zenpō-kōen-fun, a keyhole-shaped tomb when viewed from above. It is 103 meters long, with the circular part about 61 meters across and the front rectangular part around 50 meters wide. It faces south-southwest. The rear circular part has three tiers, and the front rectangular part has two tiers.
Outside, the mound is covered with thick fukiishi stones. Many haniwa clay figures were found around it, including cylindrical shapes, house-shaped figures, boat-shaped figures, and lid-shaped figures. There is also an island-like feature in front of the front part.
No full excavation has taken place, so the burial chamber is not yet known. Finds include a small bronze mirror with a floral pattern and an axe-shaped object made of talc, thought to be grave goods.
In 1733, a stone monument with the inscription “Uguisuzuka” was placed on the top of the rear mound by a monk from Tōdai-ji, who owned the land at that time. In front of the main mound remain a small square hōfun and two small circular enpun, believed to be secondary tombs from the late early Kofun period.
Uguisuzuka Kofun is kept as part of Nara Park and is maintained with grass, protective fences, signposts, and information boards. It is about a 30-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1936.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:10 (CET).